Elvis Merzlikins to Start Tuesday, Navigates Challenging Season and Team Dynamics

Elvis Merzlikins is scheduled to start Tuesday's road game against the Winnipeg Jets for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 2023-24 season has been a turbulent one for Merzlikins, marked by inconsistent play, a reported trade request, and public disagreements with management, all while playing behind a struggling team. His performance has declined since his rookie season, with a 13-17-8 record, a 3.45 GAA, and a .897 save percentage in 2023-24. The Blue Jackets have brought in new personnel, including goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom, and face competition from Daniil Tarasov. Merzlikins' contract situation, with three years remaining on a $5.4 million AAV deal, makes a trade difficult. In previous seasons, he posted a 7-18-2 record with a 4.23 GAA and .876 save percentage in 2022-23, but was still expected to be the starter. His numbers in 2020-21 saw a GAA of 2.77 and a .916 save percentage. He has shown flashes of elite potential, including a remarkable stretch in late December to mid-February where he posted a 1.51 GAA and .953 save percentage, though a concussion ended that run. Despite competition from Joonas Korpisalo in the past, Merzlikins has the size, skills, and athleticism to succeed, though his aggressive style can lead to variability.